Common lymphatic endothelial and vascular endothelial receptor-1 (CLEVER-1) and uses thereof

Abstract

A novel protein Common Lymphatic Endothelial and Vascular Endothelial Receptor-1 (CLEVER-1) is described. CLEVER-1 mediates leukocyte and malignant cell binding to vascular and lymphoid endothelial cells. CLEVER-1 is the first protein that has been reported to mediate both influx into and efflux from the lymph nodes. Also provided are methods of treating inflammation and preventing metastasis of malignant cells by providing an inhibitor of CLEVER-1 binding.

1. A method of treating inflammation in a patient in need of the same, said method comprising administering, to said patient, an agent that inhibits CLEVER-1 mediated leukocyte binding, wherein said agent is a CLEVER-1 antagonist antibody or a fragment thereof that contains an antigen binding site and wherein said CLEVER-1 antagonist antibody is antibody 3-266 produced by the hybridoma DSM ACC2519 or antibody 3-372 produced by the hybridoma DSM ACC2590, or said fragment thereof, or chimeric, humanized or primitized antibody thereof. 
     
     
       2. A method of treating inflammation in a patient in need of the same, said method comprising administering an agent that inhibits CLEVER-1 mediated leukocyte binding to said patient, wherein said inhibiting agent is antibody 3-266 produced by the hybridoma DSM ACC2519, or fragment thereof that contains an antigen binding site. 
     
     
       3. A method of treating inflammation in a patient in need of the same, said method comprising administering an agent that inhibits CLEVER-1 mediated leukocyte binding to said patient, wherein said inhibiting agent is antibody 3-372 produced by the hybridoma DSM ACC2590, or fragment thereof that contains an antigen binding site. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
       5. Antibody is said chimeric, humanized or primatized antibody. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is said antibody fragment. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein said fragment is a Fab, F(ab′) 2  or Fv antibody fragment.